How do you decide if a hysterectomy is right for you?

If the growth is severe, or it doesn't get better after hormone treatment, it may lead to cancer of the uterus. If this happens, a doctor may suggest a hysterectomy. The abdomen's lining can get irritated by infection, injury or endometriosis. When this happens, it may cause scarring.

What are the signs of you needing a hysterectomy?

Can you just decide to get a hysterectomy?

Technically, any woman of legal age can consent to the procedure, but it should be medically justified. It's incredibly unlikely that a doctor will perform a hysterectomy on women ages 18-35 unless it is absolutely necessary for their well-being and no other options will suffice.

What is the downside to having a hysterectomy?

For many women, the biggest drawback to a hysterectomy is loss of fertility. Once you have a hysterectomy, you cannot conceive, and for many women of childbearing age, this is a significant loss. Women who feel pushed into a hysterectomy may also have a negative reaction to it.

What is the average age for hysterectomy?

You'll no longer be able to get pregnant after the operation. If you have not already gone through the menopause, you'll no longer have periods, regardless of your age. Many women have a hysterectomy. It's more common for women aged 40 to 50.

What to expect with a hysterectomy

Who is a good candidate for hysterectomy?

For people living with fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis, or abnormal periods, a hysterectomy can help reduce or eliminate chronic pain. It can also help avoid unexpected and heavy bleeding. For people having the surgery due to cancer, hysterectomy can be an important part of your treatment plan.

Will I lose weight after a hysterectomy?

Weight loss isn't a side effect of a hysterectomy. Some people experience a few days of nausea following a major surgery. This can be a result of pain or a side effect of the anesthesia. For some, this can make it hard to keep food down, resulting in temporary weight loss.

Do you gain weight after a hysterectomy?

It's a fairly prevalent post-op side effect, even in the absence of adjustments to diet or physical activity level. A Journal of Women's Health study concluded that there is indeed a greater chance of weight gain after a hysterectomy, especially in the first year.

Why do doctors refuse hysterectomy?

In interviews with people seeking hysterectomies, doctors justify their refusal to their patients using a mix of these motherhood assumptions as well as more “medically-sounding” reasons: it's too invasive, too extreme, too risky, etc.

Can a man feel when a woman has had a hysterectomy?

Some husbands worry their wives may feel different or no longer express interest in them. The reality is that sex after hysterectomy for the man may feel surprisingly similar. In all procedures, the surgeon takes steps to maintain vaginal functionality.

Does having a hysterectomy age you faster?

Having a hysterectomy is a big change for your body. Depending on where you are in your menopause journey, this type of procedure can cause hormonal changes resulting in different side effects. A hysterectomy by itself usually doesn't affect your hormones and aging as much.

What are the benefits of having a hysterectomy?

How painful is a hysterectomy?

You may feel discomfort at the incision site for about four weeks, and any redness, bruising or swelling will disappear in four to six weeks. Feeling burning or itching around the incision is normal. You may also experience a numb feeling around the incision and down your leg.

How long do you have to be on bed rest after a hysterectomy?

Most women go home 2-3 days after this surgery, but complete recovery takes from six to eight weeks. During this time, you need to rest at home. You shouldn't do any tasks until you talk with your doctor about restrictions.

What warrants a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is an operation to remove the uterus. This surgery may be done for different reasons, including: Uterine fibroids that cause pain, bleeding, or other problems. Uterine prolapse, which is a sliding of the uterus from its normal position into the vaginal canal.

What conditions warrant a hysterectomy?

Fibroids, endometriosis, and other conditions that may involve pelvic pain are sometimes treated with hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus. Fibroids, endometriosis, and other conditions that may involve pelvic pain are sometimes treated with hysterectomy or removal of the uterus.

What are the pros and cons of having a hysterectomy?

How will a hysterectomy change my life?

You will no longer have periods. If your ovaries are removed during the hysterectomy, you may have other menopause symptoms. Change in sexual feelings. Some women have vaginal dryness or less interest in sex after a hysterectomy, especially if the ovaries are removed.

Will a hysterectomy make my stomach flatter?

Internal lower abdominal and pelvic swelling can take a number of months to subside after a hysterectomy. Abdominal hysterectomy and abdominal incisions can cause the deep abdominal muscles to stop working. When these muscles stop working, this can make your belly look floppy and larger in size.

Do your hips get wider after a hysterectomy?

The uterine ligaments are the pelvis' support structures so the torso collapses after those ligaments are cut to remove the uterus. The hips widen and the spine and rib cage fall. This explains why hysterectomized women have shortened and thickened midsections and no curve in their lower backs.

How many pounds is a uterus?

Uterus = 2 pounds. The uterus is the place inside you where your baby grows.

How do I prepare my body for a hysterectomy?

Do you need a Pap smear after a hysterectomy?

Pap test, also called a Pap smear, is a routine screening test for early diagnosis of cervical cancer. If you had a partial hysterectomy — when the uterus is removed but the lower end of the uterus (cervix) remains — your doctor will likely recommend continued Pap tests.

What test are done before a hysterectomy?

Before the procedure

Cervical cytology (Pap test), which detects the presence of abnormal cervical cells or cervical cancer. Endometrial biopsy, which detects abnormal cells in the uterine lining or endometrial cancer. Pelvic ultrasound, which may show the size of uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps or ovarian cysts.

Is my uterus too big for laparoscopic hysterectomy?

Most gynecologists do not recommend a hysterectomy via the vagina or a laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) in the case of a uterus weighing more than 300 g.